When starting Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, players are prompted to enter their birthday—a feature that may seem mysterious at first. The game hints that certain zodiac signs are more prone to developing DOOMS, a supernatural condition tied to the Beach. But does your birthday actually change the game? Here’s a detailed breakdown of how birth dates impact Death Stranding 2 and how to unlock its hidden birthday celebration.
Does Your Birthday Affect Gameplay in Death Stranding 2?
The short answer:
No, your birthday doesn’t significantly alter gameplay or difficulty.Upon entering your birth date, the game displays a cryptic message suggesting that people born under specific constellations—
Cancer, Pisces, Cetus, or Delphinus—are more susceptible to DOOMS. While this sounds ominous, it’s purely lore-based and doesn’t affect Sam’s abilities, story progression, or combat.
Constellation Dates in Death Stranding 2
If you're curious which dates trigger the DOOMS warning, here’s the breakdown:
- Cancer: June 21 – July 23
- Pisces: February 19 – March 20
- Cetus: November
- Delphinus: September
Despite the ominous tone, these dates don’t influence gameplay mechanics. So, feel free to input your real birthday without worrying about disadvantages.
How to Unlock the Secret Birthday Cutscene
While your birth date doesn’t affect difficulty, Death Stranding 2 does include a
special birthday event—but only if you play on the exact date you entered.
How to Trigger the Birthday Event
Progress to Episode 3 – You must unlock the DHV Magellan, which becomes accessible in this chapter.Enter Your Private Room on Your Birthday – If you play on your registered birth date, a unique cutscene will play.Receive Exclusive Rewards – The characters will celebrate with you and grant:- 900 Likes (social currency)
- Heartman’s Star-Shaped Glasses (cosmetic item)
- A Slice of Pizza (boosts stamina by 10%)
What If You Miss Your Birthday?
If your birthday passes before reaching Episode 3, you’ll have to wait until next year (or manually adjust your console’s date). To avoid missing it, consider setting your in-game birthday to a future date, giving yourself enoughtime to unlock the Magellan.
Why Does Kojima Include Birthday Events?
Hideo Kojima has a history of adding immersive, personal touches to his games. The original Death Stranding featured a surprise birthday message from Mads Mikkelsen’s character, Cliff, making players feel more connected to the world. This tradition continues in Death Stranding 2, reinforcing the game’s themes of connection and personalization.
Final Verdict: Should You Use Your Real Birthday?
Since the DOOMS warning is purely narrative and doesn’t affect gameplay, entering your real birthday is the best option—especially if you want to experience the celebration organically. However, ifyou’re eager to see the event sooner, adjust the date to align with your current playthrough.
Whether you’re a DOOMS-susceptible Pisces or a neutral Aries, Death Stranding 2’s birthday feature is a fun Easter egg rather than a game-changingmechanic. So, enjoy the journey, and may your delivery routes be free of BT interference!
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5
Genre(s): Action-adventure
Developer(s): Kojima Productions
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: June 26, 2025
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